UM SOFTBALL FIELD, MOBILE, Ala. - For the first time during the 2023 season, the University of Mobile Softball team battled conference rival William Carey University in a doubleheader on Tuesday evening, Apr. 11. Both teams entered Tuesday tied for second in the current SSAC Softball Standings, with Mobile ranked No. 15 in latest NAIA Softball Top 25 Coaches' Poll and William Carey ranked No. 19.
On Tuesday, the two conference rivals split the doubleheader after weather pushed back the start time by almost one hour. William Carey took game one 4-2, while Mobile earned a 6-3 victory in the nightcap. Following the doubleheader split, both teams still currently sit tied in the conference standings with a 13-5 SSAC record. Mobile's overall record on the year moves to 26-11.
Game One Recap - Early Runs Too Much for Mobile
After a 30-minute lightning delay and 15-minute rain delay began the afternoon at the UM Softball Field, William Carey came out hot, scoring three runs off four hits in the top of the first inning. The Crusaders sent eight batters to the plate in the first, with all three runs being scored with two outs on the board. Mobile starting pitcher Emily Butts only lasted one inning in game one as the Rams' head coach Alison Sellers-Cook brought in freshman Avery Harrell in the second inning.
Trailing 3-0, Mobile managed to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning, tallying two runs off a Caitlin McRee single to left center field. McRee's two-out single cut the deficit to just one run as Harrell shut down the William Carey offense from the pitcher's circle over the next five innings. However, William Carey managed to push across a two-out insurance run in the top of the seventh, giving the Crusaders a 4-2 lead in the final inning. Needing two runs, Mobile was unable to work a comeback in the bottom half of the seventh as William Carey worked a 1-2-3 inning to seal the game one victory.
Harrell pitched six innings of relief work for Mobile, giving up just one run off five hits. She added seven strikeouts and walked two batters. At the plate, Caitlin McRee's two-run single became the only offense for Mobile across game one as the Rams mustered only four hits in the loss.
Game Two Recap - Mobile Bounces Back
Later on Tuesday night, Mobile hit the scoreboard first against William Carey after two scoreless innings. Madi Robertson was responsible for the game's first run with a single to left center field in the third. Just one inning later, the Rams opened things up with a five-run inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Mobile began the offensive spark after a two-base wild pitch scored Carleigh Bowden. Bowden and Katie Head notched back-to-back singles with one out in the fourth to begin the rally. Madi Robertson then notched an infield single for her second hit of the game, scoring Head in the process. An error by the William Carey shortstop continued the inning as the Rams pushed across three more unearned runs to open things up in the bottom of the fourth. Mobile took a 6-0 lead to the fifth inning.
In the top of the sixth, a three-run home run by William Carey cut the Mobile lead in half and chased starting pitcher Brinkley Goff from the game. Goff worked five scoreless innings against the Crusaders prior to the three-run homer, recording four strikeouts in the game. Emily Butts then checked in for Mobile in the circle and shut down William Carey's momentum. Butts managed to record the final six outs for Mobile's first save this season. The Rams came away with the 6-3 victory to split Tuesday's doubleheader.
Madi Robertson finished 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs, while Ashlyn Stewart collected one RBI off two hits. Designated player Carleigh Bowden joined Robertson and Stewart with two hits in the game. Overall, the Rams outhit William Carey 8-5 in the nightcap.
Final Weekend of Home Games
Currently, the Rams are scheduled to conclude the home portion of the 2023 schedule this upcoming weekend, Apr. 14-15 with four conference games. However, inclement weather could play a factor in those games being moved. As of now, Mobile is scheduled to return to action with a doubleheader against Blue Mountain Christian on Friday, Apr. 14, beginning at 3:00 p.m. CT.
Mobile will wrap up the home portion of the schedule with a doubleheader against Stillman College on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CT.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
